April 19, 2023

Dehumidifier: Why is there frost on my dehumidifier's coil?

Frost or ice can build up on the evaporator coil if the unit has recently been turned on or if the room is too cold. The room temperature should be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit for the dehumidifier to operate properly.

dehumidifier

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR DEHUMIDIFIER PROBLEM

JC-DEH-Replace-the-dehumidifier-compressor

Replace the dehumidifier compressor

The compressor is a pump that compresses the refrigerant that runs through the sealed system in the dehumidifier. If the compressor doesn't run when activated, have a refrigerator service technician replace it; by law, an EPA-licensed technician must complete this repair because it involves refrigerant.

Dehumidifier compressor

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-DEH-Replace-the-dehumidifier-condenser-coil

Replace the dehumidifier condenser coil

The condenser is a heat exchanger that cools and condenses the hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas to a liquid state. The refrigerant then flows through the evaporator coil. If the compressor is running but the condenser cool and the evaporator is warm, the condenser or evaporator may have developed a refrigerant leak; by law, an EPA-licensed technician must to this repair because it involves refrigerant.

Dehumidifier condenser coil

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-DEH-Replace-the-dehumidifier-evaporator-coil

Replace the dehumidifier evaporator coil

The liquid refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil where moisture condenses and collects. If the compressor is running but the evaporator coil is warm and the condenser coil is cool, the evaporator or condenser coil may have developed a refrigerant leak; by law, an EPA-licensed technician must to this repair because it involves refrigerant.

Dehumidifier evaporator coil

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-DEH-Replace-the-dehumidifier-fan-motor

Replace the dehumidifier fan motor

The fan motor rotates the fan blade that pulls air in through the front of the evaporator and pushes air out through the back of the condenser coil. The moisture in the air pulled in through the evaporator condenses on the evaporator coil. The air pushed out through the condenser causes the refrigerant to condense to a liquid. Replace the fan motor if it doesn't run when activated.

Dehumidifier fan motor

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your dehumidifiers

Choose a symptom to see related dehumidifier repairs.

Main causes: collection bucket not installed correctly, cracked collection bucket, loose drain hose connection…

Main causes: loose fan motor mounting screws, loose compressor mounting bracket screws, bad fan, faulty compressor…

Main causes: collection bucket not installed, collection bucket full of water…

Main causes: room temperature below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, control system failure…

Main causes: clogged drain hose, drain hose not properly connected…

Main causes: dehumidifier too small for the space, bad humidity sensor, faulty evaporator thermistor, low refrigerant, b…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, wiring failure, electronic control board failure, user interface control failure…

Main causes: weak or dead batteries, out of range, radio frequency interference…

Main causes: dirty air filter, clogged grill, dehumidifier placed too close to the wall, dehumidifier too small for the …

Most common repair guides to help fix your dehumidifiers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your dehumidifier.

How to replace a dehumidifier sensor assembly

How to replace a dehumidifier sensor assembly

If the humidifier sensor doesn’t properly detect humidity or evaporator temperature, install a new sensor assembly, foll…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace a dehumidifier user interface control board

How to replace a dehumidifier user interface control board

If the dehumidifier doesn’t respond when you try to set it, follow these steps to replace it.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a dehumidifier electronic control board

How to replace a dehumidifier electronic control board

If the dehumidifier won’t power up because the control board has failed, use the steps in this repair guide to replace t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your dehumidifiers

Use the advice and tips in these articles to get the most out of your dehumidifier.

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Wiring schematic symbols explained video

Learn some of the most common symbols found in a wiring diagram and what they mean.…

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

Learn how to repair broken, frayed or damaged wires in your appliances.…

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…